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F. E. DB LONG.

Patented Feb. 5, 1889.

I UNrrnn Snares PATENT @rmcn'.

FRANK E. DE LONG, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGKOR TO CHARLES L. LOCIUVOOD, OF SAME PLACE.

LOOK FOR PAPER BOXES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 397,227, dated February 5, 1889.

Application filed June 20, 1888.

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANK E. DE LONG, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, Philadelphia county, State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Locks for Paper Boxes, of which the :followin g is a full, clear, and exact specification.

This invention relates, generally, to that class of boxes, trays, and the like that are capable of being knocked down into flat condition, whereby they are caused to occupy a comparatively small space, and may thus be conveniently packed, stored, or shipped; and

it particularly consists in a novel construction of the flaps and in the locking-tongues and slots thereof, whereby an effective locking of the flaps is secured.

The drawings illustrate practical embodiments of the invention, in which- Y Figure 1 is a view of a portion (one end) of a blank adapted to the formation of a rectangular box and provided with the improx'ed flaps and locking-tongue and slots. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the blank when formed into rectangular box shape, one of the side flaps being shown. in position, partially closing the end of the box. Fig. 3 is a similar view, the end of the box being entirely closed. Fig. 1 is a plan view thereof.

It will of course be understood that the blank A, of any suitable material, will be cut to the size desired to make the box, and that said blank (only one end of which is shown) will be scored or creased on the lines a I) c (7, to form when bent into rectangular or tubular form, as in Fig. 2, the/opposite sidcs,10 12 and 11 13, together with a narrow strip, 1, which in practice lies against the inner face of the side 13 and is cemented orotherwise securedthereto, as is well known. The blank is also provided with a scored or creased line, 2, extending entirely across the same a short distance from the blank end, and forming with the incisions 2 3 4 four closing-flaps, 14- 1.6 and 15 17, that are adapted, when the blank bent into tubular or rectangular box shape, to be turned down one over the other over the end of the box and close the same. The opposite flaps, 15 17, are shown as plain flaps, and are Serial No. 277,638. (No model.) 1

designed. to be first turned down over the box end, one more or less overlying the other, the flap 17 being shown in its turned-down position in Fi 2.

The flap ll is provided with a tongue, 20, formed by a suitably-shaped incision, providing laterally and oppositely extending enlargements 6, and the opposite flap, 1G,is provided with a pair of slots, 5, into which the extending enlargements 6 of the tongue enter. The flap 16 also has its end cut away or so shaped as to provide an end tongue, 21, and the incision at the base of the tongue in the opposite flap, 14, from the point "I" to the point 3 is of an extent which permits the flap 16 to overlie that portion of the flap ll outside of the tongue 20, its end tongue, 21, entering under the base of said tongue 20 when the box is closed, as is indicated in Figs. 3 and 4.

From the explanation thus far made of the construction of the flaps and their tongues and slots it will be apparent in closing the box end that the flaps 15 17 will be first turned down; that the flap 11 will then be turned down to overlie said flaps 15 17and its tongue 20 lifted, so as to permit the flap 1G to be turned down over the flap 14 and under said tongue 20, so that the tongue 21 will enter the opening at its base, when the tongue 20 will have its extending enlargements 6 entered into the slots 5, and thus complete the closin of the box.

It is obvious that the opposite end of the box may or may not be provided with similar flaps and tongues and slots, and when not so provided any other form of closing-flaps may be employed without departing from this iuvcntion, which may be employed at one or both ends of the box, as may be deemed desirable by the maker.

The improved closi ng-tongues and slots provide a most secure lock, and when forming the bottom of a box or tray will be found adapted to sustain considerable pressure or weight without danger of becoming loosened or unlocked thereby. closing-flaps provided with a tongue and with a slot or slots for the tongue of the other flap, so that both of the flaps are positively locked down, and thus enabled to withstand Each of the opposite IOO derlie the other tongue and said tongue to enter the slot at its base, and the enlargements of said other tongue adapted to enter the slots in said underlying flan, whereby the said flaps :1 re locked together, substantially as described.

In t stiinonywhereof IhZUOSigliCdliiYllflliiG to this specification in the presence of two sub- 20 scribing Witnesses,

FRANK E. DE LONG.

W i i nesses:

.IoHN F. LEWIS, (I-ms. F. DE LONG. 

